Step-ladder.



H. B. GAFFERS.

STEP LADDER.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 19. 1909.

95(L323, Patented Feb.22, 1910.

mww coz-r UNITED STATES PATENT @FFTQE HERMAN B. GAFFERS, 0F WATERVLIET, NEW YORK.

STEP-LADDER.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HERMAN B. GAFFERS, a citizen of the United States, residing at lVatervliet, in the county of Albany and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Step-Ladders, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing.

This invention relates to improvements in step ladders and has for its object the provision of an improved knee or support for uniting the side rails of the ladder with the steps thereof; and also such a knee in combination with means for fastening and maintaining intimate connection or bearing at the ends of the steps with seats provided therefor on the side rails.

I am aware that it is old to provide a combined brace and clamping bolt adapted to bind the side rails and step together, but in such device the bolt also constitutes the immediate supporting medium for the step and brace. As distinguished from such a structure, my invention contemplates the employment of means for independently securing the brace or knee in place to support and brace the step with reference to the side rail, and other means for maintaining the desired close contact or rigid fitting between the ends of the steps and the side rails.

- A convenient embodiment of the invention capable of producing the results stated comprises a rigid knee or brace, preferably a casting, formed with offset portions, one secured to the step and the other to the side rail and an intermediate diagonal portion connecting said offsets. Conveniently, the offsets are provided with serrated or toothed biting surfaces adapted to be embedded in the wood to prevent slipping. These parts will firmly secure the step and side rails together and support the step. To draw the side rails and step together and to afford a ready means to adjust the parts at will, I provide a screwheaded bolt adapted to pass through the side rail and engage a right angle portion of the knee adjacent to the offset which engages the step, a nut fitting the threaded end of the bolt. The right angle portion referred to preferably is of about the size of the nut so that the nut will fit fiat against the offset to prevent the turning of the nut, thus enabling the parts to be drawn together by simply turning the bolt from the outside and Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed November 19, 1909.

Patented Feb. 22, 1910.

Serial No. 528,951.

through the nut by an ordinary screwdriver.

The embodiment of the invention referred to is illustrated in the accompanying drawings forming part hereof and the details of the construction and arrangement of parts will be apparent from an inspection of such drawings considered in connection with the specific description hereinafter contained.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of fragmentary portions of a ladder side rail and step provided with the present improvements, Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view looking at the same from the front of the ladder, and Fig. 3 is a side elevatlon.

Referring more specifically to the drawings, wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts in the several views, A represents a side rail grooved to constitute a step seat B, the step being represented at C. Nails D are passed through the side rail into the end of the step in the ordinary manner.

My improved knee is of a strong rigid character, preferably a casting, and comprises offset portions E and F at opposite ends of the device, the former adapted to lie flat against the under surface of the step C, and the latter against the inner surface of the side rail A. An apertured right angle portion G projecting from the offset E and an intermediate diagonal portion H connecting the same with the offset F complete the knee or brace. In applying the knee or brace in place, the offsets are riveted as at e and f to the step and side rail, respeotively, and in this connection it is noted that the opposing faces of these offsets are serrated or toothed at c, f to bite into or become embedded in the wood of the step and side rail to assist against any slipping of the parts, and correspondingly relieve the strain on the rivets c, f.

To draw the step and side rail together, as well as to constitute a ready means for maintaining an intimate connection therebetween, I provide a bolt J having a screwhead 7' and threaded stem 7'. This bolt is passed through a perforation a provided for the purpose in the side rail and also through the vertical right angle portion G of the brace or knee, the protruding end being engaged by a nut K bearing against the surface of said vertical or right angle portion.

The screw-headed end of this bolt conveniently contacts a washer L interposed between the same and the outer surface ofthe side rail. The nut K is of approximately the same size as the vertical or right angle portion G of the bracket so that the nut when in place is prevented. from turning by contact with the offset portion E. By reason of this fact, it is simply necessary to engage the head 3' with an ordinary screw-driver and turn the bolt through the nut to draw the parts together 'and maintain the end of the step firmly in the seat B provided therefor in the inner surface of the side rail as stated.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes may be made in the special embodiment of 'the invention hereinabove disclosed without departing from the spirit of the invention. For instance, a bolt having an angular head might be introduced from the inside whereby to be prevented from turning by the offset E and a nut engaged with the threaded end of the bolt on the outside of the rail.

I claim: 1. In combination with the side rail and therefor comprising onset portions and an having means at its outer end whereby the 7 same may be adjusted through the nut.

2. In combination with the side rail and step of a ladder, a supporting brace-or knee comprising ofiset portions riveted to the step and to the side rail, an apertured vertical or right angle portion, a diagonal connecting portion, and a nut and bolt connection between the side rail and knee bearing against the outer surface of the side rail and the inner surface of the vertical or right angle portion to draw the step and side rail together.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

' HERMAN B. GAFFERS.

lVitnesses ELMER W. HINCHLIFFE, EDWARD P. KING. 

